Involute pinless hinge

ABSTRACT

A hinge constructed of a pair of leaves each having a plate and a plurality of spaced apart members defining surfaces angularly disposed to the respective plate thereof wherein the members are simultaneously formed about a common axis to produce spiral shaped whorls having the surfaces of each disposed in interlocking mating relation such that each leaf is confined to pivot about said common axis.

Umted States Patent 1 [111 3,91 1,528

Rojic, Sr. Oct. 14, 1975 [54} INVOLUTE PINLESS HINGE 3,663,987 5 1972Hawkins 16/128 [76] Inventor: Richard Rojic, Sr., 20 W 176 FOREIGNPATENTS OR APPLICATIONS Edward Lombard, 60143 795,718 5/1958 UnitedKingdom 16/152 [22} Filed: Oct. 31, 1974 Primary ExaminerGeo. V. Larkin[211 App! 5l9418 Attorney, Agent, or FirmHeise & Coolahan [52] US. Cl16/128 R; 16/152; 16/153 57 ABSTRACT [51] Int. Cl. EOSD 9/00; EOSD 15/00[58] Field of Search 16/128 R, 150, 186, 189, A hnge mmmied of a eaveseach 3 plate and a plurality of spaced apart members definlng 16/168,135,152, 153

surfaces angularly d1sposed to the respectlve plate thereof wherein themembers are simultaneously [56] References cued formed about a commonaxis to produce spiral shaped UNITED STATES PATENTS whorls having thesurfaces of each disposed in inter- 1,072,364 9/1913 Roberts 16/153locking mating relation such that ea h leaf is confined 2,685,102 8/1954Forkey 16/ 153 to pivot about said Common axis. 2,860,370 1111958 Honnay16/152 3,117,340 1/1964 Arboll 16/186 8 Claims, 6 Drawing FiguresINVOLUTE PINLESS HINGE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Hinges havecustomarily been constructed such that the whorls of each leaf aredisposed in normal relation to the butt plate wherein the hinge jointpermits motion in one plane. This type of hinge necessarily requires apin or axle to maintain the movable parts in mating relation. Otherhinges have been developed wherein the whorls have some mating surfacesangularly disposed to produce axial displacement as one leaf is movedrelative to the other, however, these also require a pin or axle toretain the leaves. Furthermore, by their very design they are limited tounitary construction together with predetermined length. The instantinvention is di rected toward a novel hinge having leaves withinterlocking whorls which obviates the need of a pin or axle to maintainthe leaves in operative relation. This novel pin can also be produced inlong lengths and then cut to produce hinges of shorter lengths withoutdestroying the interlocking relationship of the leaves.

A general object of the invention is to provide a hinge having theleaves thereof disposed in articulate interlocking relation.

A further object of the invention is to provide a hinge wherein thewhorls of each leaf interlock in mating relation to obviate thenecessity of a pin to retain said leaves.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a hinge which canbe produced from sheet or plate material with the minimal amount ofwaste.

A more specific object of the invention is to provide a hinge which canbe constructed at any desired length.

A still more specific object of the foregoing is to provide a hingewhich can be cut to produce hinges of shorter lengths without destroyingthe interlocking characteristics thereof.

Still another object is to provide a hinge wherein the leaves thereofinclude a plurality of members defining mating surfaces each of which isangularly related to the pivotal axis of the hinge.

A more specific object of the foregoing is that each mating surfaceessentially defines the same angular relation to the pivotal axis of thehinge.

Another object of the invention is to provide a hinge wherein one leafthereof can be retained at a predeter mined angular disposition inrelation to the other.

A still further object of the foregoing is to provide that the whorls onat least one leaf have a surface portion which will engage the buttplate of the other leaf at that predetermined angle.

An object of the invention is to provide a method of constructing ahinge such that the whorls of each leaf are arranged in interlockingrelation to allow the leaves thereof to pivot about a common axiswithout the need of a pin or axle to maintain mating relation of thewhorls.

Another object of the invention is to provide a method of constructing ahinge from plate or sheet material wherein the space between adjacentmembers from which the whorls are formed on one leaf provides thatmaterial from which the members for the whorl of the other leaf areformed.

A more specific object of the invention is to provide a method forassembling the leaves of the hinge into interlocking relation whereinevery point on a particular member which is formed into a whorl iscircularly formed about an axis to effect a spiral shape thereabout.

A still more specific object of the invention is to provide a method forassembling the leaves of the hinge such that the members of each leafare simultaneously disposed in mating relation and bent about a commonpivotal axis wherein each member of one leaf forms a spiral whorlarranged in interlocking relationship with corresponding members of theother leaf formed into spiral shape whorls.

A still further specific object of the invention is to provide a methodfor assembling said hinge wherein each point on each member of each leafis circularly bent about a common pivotal axis such that each said pointremains substantially in a plane referenced in normal to said axis fromthe beginning of the bending process to the completion thereof.

With the above and related objects in view, this invention consists inthe details of construction and combination of parts, as will be morefully understood from the following description when read in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing anovel hinge having one leaf thereof disposed at spaced apart angularrelation to the other;

FIG. 2 is an end view of the hinge showing the whorls of each leafthereof partially bent about a common axis;

FIG. 3a shows one leaf of the hinge before assembly;

FIG. 3b shows the other leaf of the hinge before assembly;

FIG. 4a is a sectional view of the leaf shown in FIG. 3a takensubstantially on a line 4a4a of FIG. 3a,-

FIG. 4b is a sectional view of the leaf shown in FIG. 3b takensubstantially on a line 4b--4b of FIG. 3b.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to FIG. 1 there isshown a hinge 8 comprising a pair of leaves, generally designated 10 and12, respectively. The leaf 10 comprises a plurality of members I4, 15,and 16 spirally formed in the whorls about a common axis XX. The leaf 12in like matter comprises members 18, 19 and 20 which are spirally formedinto whorls about the same axis XX. This spiral forming of the membersof each leaf couples the leaves in interlocking relation such that onecan pivot relative to the other about the axis XX without the need of apin or axle to retain the leaves in coupled relation. This will be morefully discussed hereinafter.

Directing attention now to FIGS. 3a and 3b, it can be seen that the leaf10 comprises a butt plate 22 from which extend the members 14, 15, and16; these members are shown before formed into whorls in FIG. 1. In likematter leaf 12 comprises a butt plate 27 having the members 18, 19, and20 extendipg therefrom. Each butt plate 22, 27 has spaced apartapertures 30, 31 respectively. These apertures are suitable forreceiving mounting devices such as bolts, screws, etc. It is pointed outat this time that the quantity of members are not limited to those shownin the drawings and additional intermediate members such as 14 and 15 ofleaf l0 and 19 ofleaf 12 could be of any number as designed in useconsiderations would require. Each member defines a bearing surfacedesignated by the number of that member together with a prime or doubleprime depending whether that particular member has one or two suchbearing surfaces. Also, the prime designation will distinguish theangular relationship of that bearing surface to the pivotal axis of thehinge. .For instance, the bearing surfaces of the member 19 of leaf aredesignated 19' and 19" respectively wherein 19' is that surface disposedat an acute angle to the axis XX. and 19" is that surface disposed at anobtuse angle to the axis XX. In like manner bearing surfaces of themember 20 of leaf 12 are designated 20 and 20 such forming acute andobtuse angles respectively with the axis XX.

The bearing surfaces of the other members are so designated. Thesurfaces designated by a single prime are disposed at an acute angle tothe pivotal axis XX designated as angle A. The surfaces designated by adouble prime are disposed at an obtuse angle to the pivotal axis XXdesignated as angle B. It can be seen the angles A of those single primedesignated surfaces are substantially equal. Similarly the angles B ofthosedouble prime designated surfaces are also substantially equal. Theangles A and B are complementary. Furthermore, each particular bearingsurface is angularly disposed to the pivotal axis by its respectiveangle (A or B) along its entire length.

FIGS. 4a and 4!) show the bearing surfaces and These surfaces will bedisposed in mating relation and ride one on the other when they areformed into spiral shaped whorls upon the hinge being assembled.Similarly the following bearing surfaces will be dis posed in matingrelation and ride one on the other, 7

namely, 18" on 14', 19' on 14, 15" on 19" and 20" on 16".

Upon the leaves being formed to a hinge the members arecircumferentially bent about the axis XX into spiral whorls such that aclearance space is provided adjacent each whorl and its respective buttplate. This is shown in FIGS. 1, 3a, and 3b. In the later mentionedFigures this space is illustrated as that space between the dotted lineand the butt plate.

It also should be mentioned that each member is bent during assembly todefine a circular relationship about the axis X-X and furthermore anyparticular point of any member remains substantially in a same plane asthat point is being moved circularly about during the bending process.This particular plane is disposed in substantially normal relation tothe pivotal axis X-X. Likewise every point on every member that is movedduring bending is retained in a similarly positioned plane.

7 An additional feature of the hinge is that the leaves thereof can beretained at a predetermined minimal angular displacement. As seen inFIG. 4a similarly shaped protuberances 40, 41 are stamped in similarmembers 14 and 15 respectively. FIG. 4a shows protuberance 41 having aramp surface 43 merging with the outer surface of the member 15 at oneend and joining at its other end with a sharper incline surface 44.

Protuberance is similarly positioned and formed on member 14. It iscontemplated that interior members on the other leaf 12 could also havesuch retaining means. It can be appreciated that asthe hinge is openedand one leaf is angularly displaced relative to the other members 14 and15 move through their respective clearance spaces 35 on the oppositeleaf. When the predetermined angle is almost obtained the ramp surfaceenters the clearance space and begins to engage the butt plate adjacentthereto and slight and progressive inward deflection of that whorloccurs until the sharper incline surface is reached. At this time thewhorl snaps back to its original shape thereby retaining the leaves atthat minimal predetermined angular displacement.

CONSTRUCTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Normally the leaves 10 and 12of the hinge 8 will be made of sheet material such as steel or brasshaving sufficient thickness and tensile strength to provide adequatestrength and bearing surfaces to assure proper operation of the hinge.

A blank metal strip is fed into a die wherein the leaves 10 and 12 arecut or formed into flat pieces having the configuration of those leavesshown in FIGS. 3a

and 3b. It can be appreciated that the only waste produced will be fromthose apertures 30, 31 in the butt plates 22 and 27 in that the membersor fillets of each leaf relate in superposition to the space of theother leaf. After this procedure is completed the leaves 10 and 12 arearranged in a die where they are retained and registered inspaced apartrelation using the apertures on each leaf for this procedure. At thisposition members of each leaf are initially bent about approximately ashereinbefore described; see FIG. 2. This initial angle may varydepending on the material used and the magnitude of the angles A and B.It is also pointed out that each member of each leaf iscircumferentially formed in circular fashion such that each member isformed about a hypothetical circle with eachcircle thereof defining thesame radii. This initial bending procedure allows the leaves 10 and 12to come together for the final bending process. The leaves are nowbrought together such that the partially bent members of one leafregister in the spaces between the members of the other leaf whilemaintaining the axial extremeties of the leaves in substantial collativealignment. The members of both leaves are now bent in intertwiningrelation about a full 360, with each member being circumferentiallyformed about a common pivotal axis and intertwined together with allsuch members being disposed in spaced relation about said axis atsubstantially the same radius. It is during this final bending stagethat the members of each leaf are fully shaped into spiral shaped whorlsand disposed in inter-- locking relation wherein the bearing surfacesare disposed in mating relationship as hereinbefore described.

It should also be noted that the bending procedure described above couldbe accomplished by a continuous bending process thus eleminating theinitial bend-.

ing step.

It is also contemplated that hinges of the type described could be madeof nylon or similar material and the procedures hereinbefore describedcould be substantially duplicated during the molding process. For insuch a procedure leaves 10 and 12 would be molded rather than stampedand the bending or forming of the respective members thereof intointerlocking and mat-.

ing whorls to effect an assembled hinge could be accomplished inappropriate heat-pressure procedures well known to those skilled in theart.

Attention is further directed that right and left hand 1 hinges can beproduced by the aforementioned procedures merely by bending or formingmembers in whorls about the common axis in one direction to produceright handed hinges or in the opposite direction to produce left handedhinges.

Directing attention back to FIG. 1 it can be seen that in operation thehinge 8 is capable of having one leaf rotate relative to the otheralmost a full 360. As one leaf is angularly displaced relative to theother, the leaves experience a relative displacement one to anotheralong the pivotal axis X-X.

It will be appreciated that the embodiment of the invention chosen forthe purposes of illustration and description herein is that preferredbased upon requirements for achieving the objects of the invention anddeveloping the utility thereof in the most desirable manner with regardto existing factors of economy, simplicity of design in construction,production methods and improvements saught to be effected. It will beunderstood, that the particular structure and functional aspectemphasized herein are not intended to exclude but rather to suggestother modifications and adaptations as fall within the spirit and scopeof the invention and defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A pinless hinge comprising:

first and second leaves operatively disposed to pivot about a commonaxis;

each of said leaves comprising a plurality of spaced apart members;

said members of each leaf defining bearing surfaces alternately disposedalong their entire length at acute and obtuse angles to said commonaxis; and

said members of said first and second leaves disposed in intertwiningrelation with each other to effect spiraLshaped whorls interlocking saidleaves one with the other such that the bearing surfaces of one saidleaf are disposed in mating relation with the corresponding bearingsurfaces of said other leaf whereby said leaves are interlockinglyjoined to permit articulate motion of said leaves about said commonaxis.

2. A pinless hinge operative to pivot about a common axis comprising:

a first leaf comprising a butt plate having a plurality of spaced apartmembers extending from one side and defining spaces thereinbetweenthereof;

a second leaf comprising a butt plate having a plurality of spaced apartmembers extending from one side and defining spaces thereinbetweenthereof;

said members of said first and second leaves having bearing surfacesintermediate the axial extremities of said hinge, said surfacescircumferentially disposed about said common axis in spiral relationthereabout;

said bearing surfaces of each leaf disposed along their entire lengthsat alternate acute and obtuse angles to said common axis; and

said members of each leaf forming spiral-shaped whorls disposed inintertwining relation one to the other such that the members of one leafare disposed in interlocking relation with those of the other to disposecorresponding bearing surfaces of respective members in engagingrelation one to the other whereby said leaves are joined in articulateinterlocking relation one to the other about said common axis.

3. The invention as recited in claim 2 wherein the members of each leafare spirally formed about said common axis at substantially the sameradius.

4. The invention as recited in claim 3 wherein the respective acute andobtuse angles of each said member of each leaf are substantially equaland said spaces between the members of one leaf are in substantialsuperposition to those corresponding members of said other leaf whereinboth leaves can be produced with minimal waste.

5. The invention as recited in claim 4 wherein at least one said memberson one of said leave includes retaining means operative to retain saidleaves at a predetermined angular relation one to the other relative topivoting said leaves about said common axis.

6. The invention as recited in claim 5 wherein the members of each leafare disposed about said common axis to define a clearance space betweenthat member and said butt plate of the other leaf.

7. The invention as recited in claim 6 wherein the leaves of said hingeare of substantially the same thickness.

8. The invention as recited in claim 7 wherein said butt plates of eachleaf include fastening receiving means.

1. A pinless hinge comprising: first and second leaves operativelydisposed to pivot about a common axis; each of said leaves comprising aplurality of spaced apart members; said members of each leaf definingbearing surfaces alternately disposed along their entire length at acuteand obtuse angles to said common axis; and said members of said Firstand second leaves disposed in intertwining relation with each other toeffect spiral-shaped whorls interlocking said leaves one with the othersuch that the bearing surfaces of one said leaf are disposed in matingrelation with the corresponding bearing surfaces of said other leafwhereby said leaves are interlockingly joined to permit articulatemotion of said leaves about said common axis.
 2. A pinless hingeoperative to pivot about a common axis comprising: a first leafcomprising a butt plate having a plurality of spaced apart membersextending from one side and defining spaces thereinbetween thereof; asecond leaf comprising a butt plate having a plurality of spaced apartmembers extending from one side and defining spaces thereinbetweenthereof; said members of said first and second leaves having bearingsurfaces intermediate the axial extremities of said hinge, said surfacescircumferentially disposed about said common axis in spiral relationthereabout; said bearing surfaces of each leaf disposed along theirentire lengths at alternate acute and obtuse angles to said common axis;and said members of each leaf forming spiral-shaped whorls disposed inintertwining relation one to the other such that the members of one leafare disposed in interlocking relation with those of the other to disposecorresponding bearing surfaces of respective members in engagingrelation one to the other whereby said leaves are joined in articulateinterlocking relation one to the other about said common axis.
 3. Theinvention as recited in claim 2 wherein the members of each leaf arespirally formed about said common axis at substantially the same radius.4. The invention as recited in claim 3 wherein the respective acute andobtuse angles of each said member of each leaf are substantially equaland said spaces between the members of one leaf are in substantialsuperposition to those corresponding members of said other leaf whereinboth leaves can be produced with minimal waste.
 5. The invention asrecited in claim 4 wherein at least one said members on one of saidleave includes retaining means operative to retain said leaves at apredetermined angular relation one to the other relative to pivotingsaid leaves about said common axis.
 6. The invention as recited in claim5 wherein the members of each leaf are disposed about said common axisto define a clearance space between that member and said butt plate ofthe other leaf.
 7. The invention as recited in claim 6 wherein theleaves of said hinge are of substantially the same thickness.
 8. Theinvention as recited in claim 7 wherein said butt plates of each leafinclude fastening receiving means.